East Anglia Tour

Introduction

Time: All Year

Accommodation: Luxury Hotels

Start Date: 3 Night / 4 Days

Group Size: Singles, Couples, Families and Small Groups

Some regions of England remain unspoilt and relatively undeveloped. One such area is East Anglia, to the north east of London, a region rarely visited by either the locals or overseas visitors. Made rich in medieval times from the wealth of the wool trade, East Anglia hides some magnificent treasures that are well worth visiting.

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On this tour we explore and capture the calm relaxed and tranquil atmosphere of the East Anglian countryside, coast and towns. Our first stop is Cambridge, the jewel in the English academic crown; students have included Margaret Thatcher, Isaac Newton and the Monty Python Team.

Then north to Ely and the Norfolk coast where we focus on the secrets of the region which retains it’s peaceful ambience. We will cover areas of outstanding natural beauty and the region's only National Park, The Norfolk Broads. As you travel, one dominant feature will be the church spires which rise gloriously into the sky from the low-lying land.

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Why not create your own tour? As with all our tours the attractions you see will take account of your interests and can be adapted to what you want to see. So, if you want to see places not on the list below, just let us know. Complete our enquiry form to find out more »

Itinerary

Day 1: Cambridge - Ely Cathedral

North of London lies the beautiful university city of CAMBRIDGE. We will walk the streets to see some of the colleges and discover the history. KINGS COLLEGE CHAPEL was built by Henry VI in 1446 and it represents some of the best medieval gothic architecture in England. The interior is extremely elaborate housing a vast expanse of fan vaulting. Just north is the medieval town of ELY was founded in 673. The Norman gothic CATHEDRAL soars over the surrounding countryside. We can climb the tower to admire the view and explore the nearby unspoilt streets.

Day 2: Castle Acre - Castle Rising - Coast

North of Ely is an area of striking villages built along the pre-historic trackways which criss cross the region. The ancient ruined priory of CASTLE ACRE hides surprising tales and stories of how C12th monks lived. Nearby is the amazingly well preserved Norman castle of CASTLE RISING. Both villages are lovely examples of the local buildings. Taking the COAST ROAD, you will be able to enjoy some of the classic scenery of the area, pretty flint cottages and stunning C15th churches built from the wealth of the wool trade. The coast is famous for birds and wildlife. There are some exceptional stately homes on the way.

Day 3: Norwich - Broads - Suffolk Coast

The city of NORWICH is the largest settlement in the area. As one of the principal towns of medieval England it has an outstaning C11th CASTLE and CATHEDRAL. Towards the coast, the NORFOLK BROADS NATIONAL PARK is an area of lakes and rivers created as a result of man-made peat digging. Here we will see the local craft of Reed Production which forms the thatch which supplies most of the country. Heading south, the SUFFOLK HERITAGE COAST a peaceful and rolling area of unspoilt C18th towns and villages, particularly good for shopping and the famous local fish and chips.

Day 4: Framlingham - Orford - Bury St Edmunds

FRAMLINGHAM CASTLE is an idyllic setting and similar to Windsor in layout and construction. Moving back to the coast and stopping off at the SNAPE crafts centre we will arrive at ORFORD CASTLE. Then, through the picturesque Suffolk countryside with perfect untouched Tudor Black and White villages. One of the best is LAVENHAM, with a superb timber-framed guildhall tells the story of the C18th wool trade. Another is the market town of BURY ST EDMUNDS where as the name suggests, the C8th St Edmund was buried. It has a spectacular ruined abbey set in a flower garden.